Kia Teases A New Model That Strongly Resembles a Stinger GT

Kia has taken to social media to reveal an early look at what seems to be a bold fastback sedan—one that could serve as a spiritual successor to the discontinued Stinger GT, which exited the U.S. market after the 2023 model year. While the automaker hasn’t released any specifications, it describes the vehicle only as a “vision of the future.” Its sleek proportions, aerodynamic lines, and low-slung silhouette strongly suggest it could be an upcoming electric model.

In automotive language, “vision” typically means “concept,” indicating that this is likely a design study rather than a production-ready vehicle. It may hint at new styling directions or future technologies that will eventually find their way into Kia’s lineup. Still, the brand has previously hinted that it is exploring a high-performance electric sedan to replace both the Stinger and the K8, making this teaser all the more intriguing.

Kia EV8 Incoming?

The highly praised—yet often underappreciated—Kia Stinger ended production after the 2023 model year, removing another rear-wheel-drive sports sedan from a segment that grows thinner every year. While Kia has not officially confirmed a direct replacement, company president Ho Sung Song revealed late last year that such a model is at least being seriously evaluated.

Adding fuel to the speculation, unverified union documents surfaced in early 2024 outlining plans for a new model called the EV8. According to those details, the EV8 would replace both the Stinger and the international-market K8, with production expected around 2026 and output reportedly exceeding 600 horsepower. The K8—known in earlier generations as the Cadenza in the United States—received a mid-cycle update last year and is due for replacement soon, aligning neatly with the rumored EV8 timeline.

Complicating the picture are recent reports claiming that the rumored EV8 project may have been scrapped altogether. This raises the possibility that Kia has gone back to the drawing board to reassess what its next performance sedan should be. For now, the future remains uncertain.

If Kia does pursue a sleek electric sedan, however, it already has an ideal foundation. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has proven to be a strong competitor to the Tesla Model 3, and its high-performance Ioniq 6 N variant would make an excellent blueprint for a spiritual successor to the Stinger GT. Kia and Hyundai have frequently shared the E-GMP platform across similar segments—pairing models like the EV6 with the Ioniq 5 and the EV9 with the Ioniq 9—but so far, the Ioniq 6 sedan has no Kia-branded counterpart… at least not yet.

A Glimpse at Kia’s Evolving Design Language

Kia has already previewed an electric fastback sedan with the recently unveiled EV4, though that model has yet to be confirmed for the U.S. market. This newest concept follows a similar design philosophy but pushes it much further, embracing a dramatically more aerodynamic and experimental aesthetic.

Up front, the sharply drooping nose and extremely short overhang evoke supercar influences, while the long, sweeping roofline—stretching nearly the length of the vehicle—adds to its exotic flair. At the rear, the overhang is even shorter, ending in a flat Kammback tail framed by descending taillights, a design cue shared with the EV4. One of the most intriguing touches is the split lighting arrangement: a primary headlight cluster up front paired with a secondary light strip that runs along the top of the fender, meeting a rear-facing camera that replaces traditional side mirrors.

Whether this design points to an actual production model remains to be seen, but Kia’s EV pipeline is already substantial. In its 2024 strategy update, the automaker announced plans to launch 15 global EVs by 2027. A U.S.-bound electric pickup has been confirmed—though its timeline remains unclear—and an EV2 subcompact crossover is on the way, possibly joined by an even smaller EV1 if recent trademarks are accurate. With some luck, a sleek electric sports sedan inspired by this concept could eventually join Kia’s expanding lineup.